Infographics: World XI tour of Pakistan

The 3 T20Is will be played at Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore.

After a gap of 8-long years, international cricket is all set to return to Pakistan. Apart from low-ranked teams like Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, no star-studded sides have visited Pakistan after the infamous terror attack on Sri Lanka cricket team’s bus in 2009. After much deliberation by International Cricket Council (ICC) and former England coach Andy Flower, a World XI side led by Faf du Plessis is set to tour Pakistan.

Flower, was the chief-de-mission for this tour to take place. South Africa’s Test and T20I skipper du Plessis, will be joined by many international stars for a 3-T20I series named Independence Cup. Other South African players include, HashimAmla, Imran Tahir, David Miller and Morne Morkel.

Bangladesh’s prolific opener Tamim Iqbal is also in World XI’s line-up. West Indies’ two times World T20 winning skipper, Darren Sammy too will provide his sharp inputs. Speaking of WT20 champions, England’s only ICC trophy winning captain Paul Collingwood too joins the brigade.

Australia’s George Bailey, Ben Cutting and Tim Paine also find themselves in the touring party. Completing a Tran-Tasman alliance is New Zealand’s Grant Elliot. Apart from Sammy, Samuel Badree will also be present and form a deadly pair with Tahir.

Thisara Perera is the only Sri Lankan in the 14-man squad.

Designed by Shreyas Dulam

Numbers:

1stT20I game for an ICC World XI side.

551 The total T20I experience of the World XI combined is of 551 matches.

It surely will be a challenge for the Sarfraz Ahmed-led Pakistan to take on a promising outfit. Pakistan is coming off a historic ICC Champions Trophy win and will be high on confidence. They have a blend of experience and youth in the squad.

This surely be a experience of a lifetime for fans, players and officials, who will be participate in the Independence Cup that will go a long way in resuming international cricket in Pakistan.

(Vishal Mehra is a reporter at CricketCountry, enjoys weekly dose of anime, monthly viewing of sitcoms apart from being a full-time cricket aficionado.)

First Published on September 11, 2017 7:30 AM ISTLast updated on September 11, 2017 7:30 AM IST